The Jigsaw Method is a cooperative learning strategy in which every pupil becomes responsible for learning one part of a topic and then teaching it to others. Like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, each pupil holds an important piece of information that the group needs in order to understand the whole picture.
The method is particularly valuable for active learning because pupils are not simply receiving information from the teacher: they explore, discuss, explain, listen and learn from one another. It can support communication, collaboration, responsibility and active listening while giving every pupil a meaningful role in the learning process. With younger pupils, the information does not have to be a long written text. Pictures, short texts, objects, simple fact cards, diagrams or other visual materials can be used instead.
1. Read about the Jigsaw Method
Start with Reading Rockets for a clear and practical introduction to the Jigsaw strategy.
The resource takes you through the main stages of the activity: dividing pupils into groups, assigning different parts of the learning material, creating expert groups, and then returning pupils to their original home groups so that each expert can teach the others.
It also provides particularly useful advice for younger learners, pupils with different reading abilities and second-language learners. For example, it recommends giving younger pupils experience with small-group learning before introducing a full Jigsaw activity and using graphic organisers to help pupils collect the information shared by the different experts.
Read: The Jigsaw Strategy – Reading Rockets
As you read, think about a topic you already teach that could easily be divided into several smaller parts. For example, a primary science lesson about animals and their habitats could have four expert topics:
Expert 1 – Forest animals
Expert 2 – Ocean animals
Expert 3 – Desert animals
Expert 4 – Polar animals
Each pupil becomes an expert on one part and then helps the other members of the home group build the complete picture.
2. Watch how the Jigsaw Method works
The movement between home groups and expert groups can seem complicated when you first read about Jigsaw. A visual explanation makes the structure much easier to understand.
First, whatch a short video about the method and a real classroom implementation of it form Reading Rockets:
The second short video explanation from Cult of Pedagogy, deeply demonstrates how pupils first work in their home groups, move into expert groups to learn one part of the content, and then return to teach their classmates.
While watching, pay particular attention to the difference between the two types of groups:
- Home Group → each pupil will eventually bring a different piece of knowledge to this group.
- Expert Group → pupils who are learning the same piece work together until they understand it well enough to explain it to others.
Think about your own classroom: What support would your pupils need to feel confident enough to become the “expert” and explain something to their classmates?
3. Ready-to-use teacher material
Are you ready to try the Jigsaw Method with your pupils?
The Teacher Toolkit provides a ready-to-use Jigsaw Elementary direction sheet designed to help pupils organise the information they learn in their expert groups and prepare what they will later share with their home group. The worksheet gives pupils a simple structure for recording their topic, assignment and key information. This can be particularly helpful for younger learners because one of the challenges of Jigsaw is remembering what information they need to take from the expert group back to their classmates.
Download and use:
Jigsaw Elementary – The Teacher Toolkit
Look for “Download Templates – Jigsaw Elementary” on the page.
An editable Jigsaw Elementary – Google Doc version is also available, allowing you to adapt the material to your own topic and the needs of your pupils. For younger pupils, simplify the amount of information they need to record. They can use key words, short sentences, drawings or symbols instead of taking detailed notes.
Before pupils return to their home groups, give them a few minutes to prepare how they will explain their piece of the Jigsaw. A simple prompt can help:
- What are the most important things my group needs to know?
- How can I explain them clearly?
- Can I use a picture, example or object to help my group understand?
The aim is not for pupils to become experts on a large amount of information. Each pupil should understand one manageable piece of the topic well enough to explain it confidently to others.
4. Other resources
The Jigsaw Classroom
The Jigsaw Classroom is a resource dedicated specifically to the Jigsaw technique and its original cooperative-learning approach.
It provides a detailed 10-step classroom procedure, including how to form groups, assign segments, create temporary expert groups, return pupils to their Jigsaw groups and monitor the process.
This is a useful resource when you want to understand the original method in greater depth or troubleshoot difficulties after trying Jigsaw in your classroom.
Reading Rockets – Jigsaw examples and differentiation
Return to the Reading Rockets resource when you are ready to adapt Jigsaw for different pupils.
Its differentiation section is particularly valuable for primary teachers because it considers younger learners, pupils with different reading abilities and second-language learners. It also links to classroom examples and additional resources.
Explore Jigsaw further – Reading Rockets
Facing History & Ourselves – Jigsaw Teaching Strategy
Facing History & Ourselves provides another very clear step-by-step explanation of the Jigsaw process. Although the resource itself is designed for older pupils, its four-stage planning structure is useful for teachers who want to understand the method in greater depth:
1. Prepare the activity
2. Pupils work in expert groups
3. Pupils meet in teaching groups
4. Pupils synthesise and reflect
It is particularly useful for understanding an important final step that can sometimes be overlooked: after pupils have taught one another, they should have an opportunity to bring all the pieces together and demonstrate what the group has learned.
Explore the Jigsaw Teaching Strategy – Facing History & Ourselves